Golden State Warriors
And its that very presumption that makes me believe it doesn’t go that way.
Harrison Barnes may not have been the best player in the NBA, but he had an integral role on the Golden State Warriors, one that Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson counted on.
Now that stage will be shared by free agent Kevin Durant.
Durant is an elite, however, that’s the problem. With a team average of 48.7 percent accuracy from the floor, and 41.6 percent accuracy from the three point distance, Durant’s strengths simply blend with that of the team. To be honest, Durant’s 38.7 percent accuracy from the three point range dilutes the team average somewhat.
Sometimes basketball is that blend of offense and defense, and the Warriors feel awfully offense oriented right now. Can this work? Of course it could. But much like football, there is only one ball to be shared by so many shooters. Someone will find their average decline. How they handle that will define the success of this team.
Key Losses: Harrison Barnes
Key Gains: Kevin Durant
Key Statistic: Staying healthy
NBA Power Rankings: 2nd
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Golden State Warriors (62-20)
Last rank: 1st
When you take the best team from the NBA season and add the best free agent, you should win everything hands down, right?
And its that very presumption that makes me believe it doesn’t go that way.
Harrison Barnes may not have been the best player in the NBA, but he had an integral role on the Golden State Warriors, one that Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson counted on.
Now that stage will be shared by free agent Kevin Durant.
Durant is an elite, however, that’s the problem. With a team average of 48.7 percent accuracy from the floor, and 41.6 percent accuracy from the three point distance, Durant’s strengths simply blend with that of the team. To be honest, Durant’s 38.7 percent accuracy from the three point range dilutes the team average somewhat.
Sometimes basketball is that blend of offense and defense, and the Warriors feel awfully offense oriented right now. Can this work? Of course it could. But much like football, there is only one ball to be shared by so many shooters. Someone will find their average decline. How they handle that will define the success of this team.
Key Losses: Harrison Barnes
Key Gains: Kevin Durant
Key Statistic: Staying healthy
NBA Power Rankings: 2nd
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